From Artist to Entrepreneur: Join My Holiday Market Adventure!

Hey, everybody. What's up? Welcome back to Nosy AF, or if it's your first time, welcome. I am your host, Stephanie Graham, and I'm an artist.

I'm a filmmaker, and I also have this super tiny business called Graham Cracker Pin Company, where I create cute, affordable, limited edition enamel pins and buttons. And so today's episode is going to be about those pins and an event I have coming up. So let's get into this show.

Now we're about to get real, real nosy.

All up in your business all up in your business all up in your business all up in your business all up all up in yo in yo Olive? All up in yo in yo Olive Olive? In yo in yo Olive? In yo business.

Did you guys like that beat? So I made this beat for a segment that I'm gonna start introducing into the podcast, but I wanted to share it with you and get your feedback on it.

I think it is so fun and ridiculous, but that's just me. I need to have your opinion. Yeah. So I'm really, really giddy sharing that with you, so stay tuned about that, and let's get into these pins.

So, okay, I make pins. The episode is about my pins.

Back in 2016, I got this idea by going to visit Devening projects, which is an artist run gallery here in Chicago by the artist Dan Devening. And he has wonderful shows there. He represents several artists, and he always has great shows. He's an instructor. He's just a great resource for me.

And shout out to Dan. Okay, so I go visit, and he's showing an artist who had these paintings that also came with a enamel pen. And I was like, ooh, I want to do that.

I just love the pin. The enamel pen was just shiny. It was simple. It was, like, simple colors. And I just loved it. And I'm like, I want to make these pins.

So I wish I knew the artist's name. I want to say their name was Bo, but honestly, I can't remember.

And I tried to do a search and see if it came up with anything, but I came back with zero results. So if I find this artist, I will tell you.

I do remember telling this artist when I found him at the time on Instagram, like, oh, my God, I love your artwork. And I started making enamel pins because of your work. So at least he knows, right? And so, yeah, so, 2016, I got this idea.

I'm like, I want to make pins. Learned how to make pins, and I made my very first pin, which is a pin called Fridom. Kahlo, which was basically a black Frida Kahlo.

And I got a little bit of pushback about this. But you. You know what? I love Frida, and so I just wanted to make her look like me. That's it. That's all. You know what I mean?

And you might have a problem with that, but that was my thought when I made the pin. And then I made another pin, which was called I need a baker, and it's basically Anita Baker wearing a baker's hat. And I did this pin.

My friend Dee, who's a dj and also a creative, she makes a lot of different artworks, like, a lot of collage works, then also DJ's. She made a mix as a tribute to Anita Baker. So that was Anita Baker.

So these are just, like two pins that I've made, just to give you an idea of, like, you know, I like to make these, like, quirky conversation starting pins, you know, and I call Graham cracker pin a tiny business because I don't really put pressure on myself to make them.

Just when I have an idea that comes along or if somebody has a pin that they want to make for their business or for themselves, I can help them do that as well. And I've done that for some people. So, you know, I just love being creative and just making stuff.

And so, you know, even with this podcast, I just love talking to other artists. I love talking to you and just sharing my work and others work with the world. So, with that being said, I'm going to take things to the next level.

And this year, I'm officially going to be a vendor at my very first holiday market.

Like, have you all ever been in a holiday market or any of those fairs where you're, like, at a table, your work is on the table, and you're standing behind the table, and people are going to come, and they're going to browse and, like, walk right past me. Hopefully, people will stop. But I'm going to be a part of the second annual film workers holiday market.

And it's happening on Saturday, November 16, from 12:00 p.m. to 05:00 p.m. and I'm excited about that. I'm also nervous about that just because it's new to me.

I've never done it before, and, you know, we're gonna see how it goes. So this market is happening at Sin City Studios in Chicago, and, you know, this market is gonna be pretty awesome.

It's really all about supporting my fellow industry peeps who are part of the AYATC unions, which I'm a proud member of. You know, I'm in 476 studio mechanics, and I'm a part of 800, the art directors guild.

And so this holiday market, it's going to be hosted by the 476 women's committee. And, you know, this market, it's like by film workers for film workers, you know what I mean?

And if you're a filmmaker, if you're in the industry, you know how much we all love a good side hustle. And I know you as a listener, as an artist, collector, you love multiple things, too.

We are multi hyphenates around here, so I know that you can definitely get behind a market like this that's just, you know, filmmakers showcasing their additional talents.

We started this market last year just with everything that was just going on with the strikes, you know, work was slowing down, you know, productions have gone overseas, and so people just sort of have time, you know, and they've been working on this stuff anyway. And so it's also feels like a talent show to just sort of be able to see what other people do outside of set, basically.

And so I think it'll be a good time. Last year, it was a blast.

There were so many people there just either out to support, just out for like an afternoon or, you know, there to buy things, you know, and us having it so early in November, before thanksgiving, you know, it's a good way to get started on holiday shopping, and it's just a nice evening. You know, we're having it on a Saturday this time, so it's gonna be a good time. And, yeah, so I hope that you're gonna be there.

You know, I'm gonna make a little table and have my name out there and everything. And so I'm really looking forward to that new experience. So, yeah, so here's the details. So Saturday, November Sin City Studios 29.

29 West 14th street. Obviously, this will all be in the show notes. And, yeah, mark your calendar.

Come hang out at Sin City with me and, you know, support local creatives, pick up some holiday gifts. It's gonna be a fun, laid back afternoon. Some great vibes, amazing people. There's gonna be a photo booth, you know what I mean?

I think Santa Claus is gonna be in the house, so bring your kiddos and get some pictures. And if you're already a fan of Graham Cracker pinsheendeh, I love to see you there.

If you are just now knowing that I make these pins, I would love to show them to you. So come by you know, you can see the pins. And then you and I, we could just talk art, filmmaking, whatever's on your mind.

I might have mentioned this, but my pins, I make only 100 of each one. So once they're gone, they're gone. You know, that's that hip hop limited edition life in me. What am I saying? So, yeah.

So thanks for tuning into this little update. Please hit me up. Let me know what you think about my beat from my new segment coming up. I'm still working on it.

You know, I just, you know, when I come to y'all, I want to come correct. You know what I mean? So anywho, I appreciate y'all listening to this little update. If you're not following Nosy AF, please subscribe.

I would love to have you as a listener, and if you have been listening and you love the show, please leave me a review wherever you're listening to this podcast right now. And until next time, stay curious, stay creative, and hopefully I'll see you at the market. Bye. This has been another episode of Nosy AF.

I'm your host, Stephanie Graham. What did you think about today's conversation? I would love to hear your thoughts.

Head over to the nosy AF website for all the show notes related to the this episode. You can also find me on Instagram, stephaniegram. What would you know?

Or online@missgram.com where you can sign up for my newsletter where I share exclusive updates about my studio practice as well as this podcast. Until next time, y'all stay curious and take care. Bye.